Togo’s ruling UNIR party wins around 75 % of municipal seats, despite deadly protests and low turnout

According to provisional results announced by the Independent National Election Commission (CENI), Togo's ruling party, the Union for the Republic (UNIR), won 75% of the seats in the municipal elections held on Thursday, July 17.

Despite deadly protests since early June, led by bloggers and rights activists, the vote took place peacefully in the West African country. Protesters are demanding a change in regime while also denouncing recent constitutional reforms that consolidated the power of Faure Gnassingbe, who has led the country for twenty years.

The ruling UNIR party won 1,150 out of 1,527 municipal council seats, or 75%, according to provisional results published by CENI.

The opposition party, the National Alliance for Change (ANC), secured 51 seats, representing 3.3% of the total.

Another opposition party, the Union for Force Change (UFC), emerged in third place with 38 seats.

Sixteen other political parties shared the remaining seats.

There were a total of 19 parties, nine political alliances and about 50 independent candidates.

Low voter turnout

Voter turnout was very low, especially in the capital, Lomé. Records indicate that approximately 2.5 million people voted out of the 4.5 million registered voters, representing a 55% turnout.

Civil society groups and social media influencers had also called for protests and a boycott on election day, raising concerns among potential voters of possible clashes.

The provisional results will be validated by the Supreme Court in the coming days, according to the country's constitution. Election petitions have to be filed within five days after the release of preliminary results.

The 1,527 elected councilors are expected to vote to elect mayors in the 117 municipalities.